Last night Allison and I attended the wake for Peter Gonsalves. Peter Gonsalves was father to my Uncle Dave. I knew Peter Gonsalves and visited Mr. And Mrs. Gonsalves when I was growing up. I remember one summer working for my father as he remodled The Kilburn Glass Co. Factory in Norton. That was where Peter Gonsalves worked for 62 years. He was always ready with a smile and something nice to say. Peter Gonsalves was a very hardworking and good man. That same summer I also helped my father build an addition to Peter Gonsalves’ neighbor’s house. We’d often pop in on Mr. and Mrs. Gonsalves during the day or right before we left. We will miss you Peter.
Peter P. Gonsalves, 83
NORTON — Peter P. Gonsalves, 83, of Norton, died on Friday, Jan. 20 at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. He was the beloved husband of Therese B. (Menard) Gonsalves, to whom he was wed on April 17, 1948.
Born in Norton on Sept. 29, 1922, he was a dear son of the late Peter P. and Eugenia (Silva) Gonsalves Sr.
He was educated in Norton schools. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was discharged with the rank of sergeant. He was a retired toolmaker, having worked for the Kilburn Glass Co. in Norton for 62 years. He retired in July 2005.
He was a communicant of St. Mary’s Church in Norton. He was a charter member of the Norton VFW Post 8049 in Norton. He was a former call firefighter for the town of Norton.
An avid sports fan, he especially enjoyed watching the Red Sox and Patriots games. He enjoyed outdoor activities and working with his hands. His family will always treasure the times spent with him.
He was a lifelong resident of Norton.
Besides his loving wife Therese, he is survived by his devoted children, Michael J. Gonsalves of Portland, Ore., Patti A. Ferguson and her husband David of Dartmouth, Mass., and David P. Gonsalves and his wife Christine of Madison, Conn.; his dear brothers and sisters Antone Johnson of Arizona, Roland Gonsalves of New Jersey, Mary Gonsalves of Norton, Fina Pickering of Norton, Laura Gonsalves of North Carolina and the late Edward Gonsalves, John Gonsalves, Alice Larocque, and Margaret Shaw; his six cherished grandchildren Kate Gonsalves, Sally Gonsalves, Justin Gonsalves, Nicholas Gonsalves, Paie Gonsalves, and Tiffani Ferguson. He is also survived by his many nieces, nephews, cousins, and his brothers-in-law and sisters-inlaw.
Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend his funeral, which will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 24 at 9 a.m. from the Norton Memorial Funeral Home, 19 Clapp St. (off Route 140, Taunton Avenue) in Norton, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Mary’s Church, South Worcester St., Norton. Burial will follow with military honors in St. Francis Cemetery, Taunton.
Visiting hours will be held on Monday, Jan. 23 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, Peter’s family has requested that donations in his memory be made to the American Heart Association, 20 Speen St., Framingham MA 01701.
For additional information, please visit www.nortonmemorial.com.